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When libation den The Gin Joint announced that bartender Ryan Casey would join them this Saturday for a guest appearance, they also let it drop that he will assume the role of bar manager at the forthcoming hotel The Dewberry. It was pretty much the worst kept secret in the food and beverage world, but now it's official, especially since he is the face of The Citrus Club (presumably the name of the hotel bar) on The Dewberry website. The hotel will be located in the Mendell Rivers Federal Building facing Marion Square. The large 1960s modern building sat abandoned for almost 20 years until The Dewberry took on the task of renovating it.
Casey brings a wealth of knowledge with him from his time behind the bar at venerable McCrady's and hot spot Edmund's Oast. Casey was named a Best New Mixologist by Food & Wine, recommended by industry magazine Imbibe, and, not to mention, won Bartender of the Year 2013 for Eater Charleston.
In addition to Casey's talents, New York chef Ben Towill will also join The Dewberry team. City Paper broke the news that Towill (of The Fat Radish fame) will develop the restaurant for the hotel. The updated website for the project labels the forthcoming eatery as Henrietta's Restaurant with a magnificent photo of roasted vegetables and whole fish.
[Update 11/13/15, 11:00 a.m. : Towill is no longer on the project. His original role was brand development and has since started a company with his wife Kate called Basic Projects. Wes Morton will be the executive chef and Will Friedrichs will be the food and beverage director.]
The website lists the opening date as Winter 2016, so keep an eye out for a flurry of progress soon. [Update 11/13/15, 11:00 a.m. : The Dewberry says that the opening date will be closer to spring.]
